BY DOUG GRAHAM | Staff writer Baton Rouge police Chief Murphy Paul, who drew praise for his progressive-minded approach to the job but also faced clashes with some rank-and-file officers over his approach to internal discipline, plans to step down. In a statement, Paul thanked his supporters and called it “an honor” to serve as the city’s police chief. Paul’s resignation marks the beginning of a hiring process that is expected to last until around November, city officials said. Country music superstar Garth Brooks will headline the inaugural “Sugar Bowl Country Kickoff” at Caesars Superdome on Sept. 2 in a Labor Day weekend celebration to kick off the college football season. Brooks is a massive draw in Louisiana and one of the top-selling recording artists of any genre. The show also will feature Louisiana native Lainey Wilson and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. After a series of serious worker health and safety violations in the past year, federal regulators say they will pull workers off the job at an ore refining complex in St. James Parish if another serious violation is found. The Atalco Gramercy alumina plant has had 106 serious violations that were likely to lead to "reasonably serious injury or illness" in the past year, the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration found. Company officials say they are taking the latest regulatory actions seriously. | 